Mounting for electrical instruments



Dec. 14, 1954 E. e. JOHANSSON 2,697,135

MOUNTING FOR ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Sept. 6, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E eBsf G. dohansson. )yywi W ATTORNEY Dec. 14, 1954 E. G. JOHANSSON 2,697,185

MOUNTING FOR ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Sept. 6, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.4. 4

Ill l- 39 Insulation I 9m 89? 2 89E 7 9IE 69 4m gr 3 Q S Q 438 3| Q s v 3 as zse 290 59A 93F 1 A 5 O 8|B 31a 398 77 93A Insulation 95A INVENTOR Ernest G. Johonsson.

ATTORNEY Dec. 14, 1954 E. G. JOHANSSON 2,697,185

MOUNTING FOR ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Sept. 6, 1951 4 Sheets-Shept 4 Fig.8.

' Fig. 7 I49 INVENTOR Ernest G. Johonsson. BYcz 2 A m m ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 30 Claims. (Cl. 31799) This invention relates to mountings for electrical instruments, and it has particular relation to mountings conta ning transformers through which instruments are energlzed.

closure. Such conductors may comprise the customary line and load conductors.

some cases, one of the ing the conductor.

e invention facilitates the separate installation of trical energy, the appropriate public utility may install the removable unit in the enclosure and electrical meter thereto.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved mounting for electrical instruments which includes a removable transformer unit.

it is a second object of the invention to provide a ably secured thereto.

2,697,185 Patented Dec. 14, 1954 movable unit comprising a secured to a common support.

It is a fourth object of the invention movable unit which plurality of transformers to provide a remcludes a transformer means and of the invention to provide an enged support for mounting electrical accompanying drawings, in which:

igure 1 is a view in cross-section of a mounting having an electrical instrument associated therewith and embodying the invention.

ig. 2 is a view in perspective of a removable unit suitable for the mounting of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a portion of the mounting of Fig. l, with connector units mounted therein.

Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of the mounting of Fig. l with the cover section removed and with parts broken away.

Fig. 5 is a detail view in elevation of one of the connector units employed in the mounting of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a detail view in section showing the construction of an insulating assembly employed in the mounting of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a view in cross-section of a mounting for electrical instruments embodying a modified form of the invention, and

ig. 8 is a view in front elevation, with the cover section removed and with parts broken away of the mounting illustrated in Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows an enclosure which is As shown in Fig. 3, the base section 3 has a rear wall 5, side walls 7 and 9, a top wall 11 and a lower wall 13. The base section also has provision for permitting the entry or departure of conductors into or out of the enclosure. bushing 15 is secured to the of conventional conduit through which conduit thereto.

Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the cover section he cover section. base section are received within the flange cover section. Th within a flange 11A the upper wall 11.

The enclosure of Fig. of an electrical instrument be a detachable or socket in the art, the socket meter includes 23A which has 1 is designed for reception 23 which will be assumed to As well understood a base or pie-plate cover 233 releas- A meter is enclosed within the casing formed by the pie-plate 23A and the glass cover 23 A plurality of contact blades 23C project from the pie-plate 23A and are insulated from each other. T ese contact blades constitute terminals for the meter which is secured to the pie-plate. The cover 23B and the pie-plate 23A have flanges respectively, 23D and 23E which are utilized in securing the meter to its mountmg.

As shown 25 which is surrounded by a collar 26. The cover section located within the collar 26. 22 which extends around the edge... .of .the. .collar.. 26.. ...In. addition, .the .ring. .20. has a cross bar 14 which extends .diametrically across the ring. The cross bar 14, the ring 20, the flange 22 and the collar 26. maybe identical with. parts bearing- .the same reference characters shown in the/{Young Patent 2,242,637, which issued Mayt2t), 1941.; The edge 44 of the ring 20 maybe left in .the form shown inrFig. 4 of the aforesaid Young patent to permit removal of-the ring-20 from the collar..26. Preferably,.however, the .edge 44 is crimped over-the .front .Wall 21 in .tha-maunerillustrated in Fig. of the aforesaid Young patent However, the crimpingshould be to .an-extentmerely su .cient to retain-the ring 20 :in its-amounted position and should not interfere with rotation of the ring relative to. the collar 26. As will be pointed out below,-.the rotation of thering iscmployed to permit either vertical or horizontaljmoun'ting of the enclosure, as desired.

The enclosure of Fig. 1 contains a removable unit 27 which is showirin greater detail in :Fig. 2. -Itzwi1l be notedJthat-the removable unit 27 includes a. U-shaped supporting structure 29 having..two slegs *19Arand 29B which are .bent at right. angles relative .to a central sec- The legs29A and e298 :have; at their lower ends :(-as.viewed in'Fig. 2) :project-ionsextending at right angles to -.the legs ..to .ftormv platforms. 29D and. 2915.. Though not essential, the supporting structure may be slightly flexible. to facilitate alignment 'of certain primary bars with connector-units .as described below.

Transformer means may be secured to either ors-both ofuth'e platforms 29D and 29B. 1 Although two =or more transformers may be secured toeach 'of the platforms, it will belassumed that a-. trans'former =31 :is secured to the as spring copper.

platform 229E and atransformeri33 isxs'ecured-to the'platform 29D. These transformers maybe .secured-tinany suitable :manner as. by'inachine-screws 35.

Although. voltage transformers may be mounted on the platforms, the transformers 31 and 33 are assumed to be current transformers. The transformers 31 and 33may be of any desired construction. Preferably, however, they have rigid primary leads. Although the transformers may have-wound primaries, in the preferred embodiment of the invention:illustrated in- Fig; 2, the transformers areofthe throu htype. Thus, the transformer 31 has a primary bar-37whichextends therethrough.

The parts of the round primary bar 37A and- 373 which project from thecasing of the transformer may be considered to be the primary leads of the transformer 31. The central part. of the bar 37 which is located within the casing of the transformer may-be termed the primary winding of thetransformer. Similarly, the transformer 33 has a throu h bar-39'which provides primary leads 39A and 3913. "The transformer '31 has secondary terminals-41A and41B. whereas the transformer 33 has secondary terminals43A and 43B.

The elevated central part 29C of thesupporting structure has a platform-45 secured thereto inany suitable manner as by machine screws 47. The platform 45 has secured thereto lJ-shaped brackets 49 on which a socket 51 is secured. The socket-"51 may be-of any conventional construction. "It will be understood that: the socket 51 has a plurality of contact'jaws 53 which are-positioned for reception of the contact blades of the socket meter to beassociated therewith. contact blades of. standard socket. meters will be unders d' a t dv of a 31 and 32-of the aforesaid Electrical MetermensHandbook.

Althou h the enclosure 1 is' illustrated in its vertical position in enclosure v desirable to provide a construction permitting rotation of the socket 51 through an angle of 90 from its illustrated position. Such rotation maybe effected in Fig. 2 by removing the'screws -47.and rotatingtheplatform 45 about a vertical axisto a new position 90 from the illustrated position. 47 then may be replaced to secure the platform 45 to the supporting structure. It will-be recalled that-the-ring= 2 0also-may be rotated 90 ,in order to permit proper alignment of the cross bar 14 with the socket in either position of the socket.

' Thecontact jaws 5.3,may be secured to the brackets 49 through suitable insulation. The construction of the insulation may be modified in accordance with the number of a sreouire l', the specific embodiment of -Fig. '2, three insulators 55, which may be constructed of a suitable insulation maand the positions of the/jaws. In

The positions of the .terialsuch as. porcelain,

' threaded engagement therewith.

are secured to the brackets 49. Suitable securing means for. the insulators are illustrated in Fig. 6. It will be notedthat the insulator is secured to the bracket 49 by means of a bolt 57 which has a nut 59 embedded in the insulator. The upper end of the nut also serves as a nut for 'a machin; screw 61 which secures the cross-bar 14 to the insulator. For certain contact jaw arrangements, portionsg ofthecross-bar 14 may be omitted as well understood in the art.

It will be understood that connections from the secon lary; terminals 41A, 41B, 43A and-43B '(Fig. 2) to he various contact jaws are provided by suitable COIRlUCK'KS 63. Inasmuch as thetransformers 31 and 33 are as u red to be current transformers; these connections pde current energization forrthesocket-meter associated with the socketSl. v

In addition, voltage energization for certain of ti" e "ontact jaws .is required. ..--.Such voltage-energiz-atiow conveniently is provided by means of clips 65 which are connectedto the appropr-iate contactjaws by--mea..s -o conductors 67. The clips 65 are of U-configuratirm, and are .made of an-electroconductive.spring' materia. such or curved to engage resiliently one of-theprimai y l ads of the transformers. Bydnspection-of Fig. 2, it will-be noted that each tofthe clips 65 is similar. inconstruction to fuse clips which are commonly employed in the art. Inasmuch .as the'primary leads of the. transformers are rigid-and round, the clips65 provide a convenient readilydetachable connection thereto. W-iringconnections for various sockets will be understood by reference to pages 33 to 53' of he aforesaid Electrical Metermens l landbook, which illustrate various meter wiring diagrams.

The removable unit of Fig. 2 is designed to be received releasably in the base sectionshown in Fig.3. To this end, -the rear wall 5, of the: base s'ection may have a plurality of studs 69 secured thereto. These studs are positionedfor reception-in openings '71. ('Fig. l provided in the platforms 29E and 29D and "in flanges secured to the transformers 31'and 33. Although the szns. 69 may be employed as dowels for positioning the removable unit,- preferably nuts 69Aaregapplied to thestuds-as shown in; Fig.4 for the purpose of releasably retaining the removable-unit in the base sect-ion.

The base section'of Fig. 3 'isdesign'ed'for reception of line and'load conductors of a-circuitto which the electrical; instrument is to be connected. The number of conductors and their arrangement-dependonthe nature ofthe circuit. For example, the circuit may be a singlephase three-Wire circuit, a poly-phase three-wire 'circuit, .orapoly-phasefour-wire circuit. Wiring diagrams for various circuits of this type are illustrated in. the aforesaid Electrical Metermens Handbook.

In the embodimentof Fig. 3, it will be assumed that three line conductors A1, B1 and C1 enter the base section through the bushing 15. Three load conductorsAZ, B2 and Q2 leavethe base section through a suitable opening such as that represented by the knockout section within the line 17. It will be assumed further that the line conductor I31 need not, be coupled to the electrical instrument associated-with the base section, but may be connected directly to the load conductor 82. It will be assumedfurtherthat,:thc -,c'onductor:B1,is not at ground potential and that it must. be insulated from the-base section.

A connection'betWeen-the conductors-B1 and B2 is established bymeans of an electroconductive strap 73: which is insulated from the base section by means of insulators 75 and 77. Connectors '79 and 81 are secured to the ends 'of the strap 73 for the purpose of releasably receiving the conductors B1 and B2 respectively. Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the insulators 75 and 77 are secured to the wall 5 in any-suitable manner as by machine screws'83.

. The connector 81'hasa body 81A which may be constructed of electroconductive material in any suitable manner as by casting the body from copper. The body 31A maybe secured to one end of the strap 73 and to the insulator 77in any suitable manner as by means of a bolt 85 which. passes through the'insulator and the strap and is in threaded engagement with the body'SlA. The; bolt SS'ur eets from the body81A and has a nutBSA-in- "Four parallel guide posts 81B .are formed'fo n the body 81A to define a cruciform recess for slidable reception of The legs of' each clip-areconfigured a cruciform cap 87. The cap 87 has a pair of openings the opening in the cover section by means of a disc (not through which the bolts 85 pass. Consequently, by opshown) which is secured to the flange 22 by means of eratlon of the nuts 85A, the load conductor B2 may be the sealing ring SR.

clamped between the cap and the body of the connector. When the owner of the building desires to receive elecinsulating sleeve 73A may be slipped over the central vrde the service may then install the complete removable part of the strap 73. unit illustrated in Fig. 2 within the enclosure previously The four conductors A1, C1, A2 and C2 are to be conprovided y h contractor- The public utility nected releasably to the primary leads of the transformers pany also would mount the meter 23 on the enclosure. 31 and 33. To this end, four connector units 89, 91, 93 As previously pointed out, the transformer rneans to the wall a of the base section through insulators 89A, comprise one or more transformers on each platform 91A, 93A and 95A substantially in the same manner by and may include voltage and/or current transformers which the connector 81 is secured to the wall 5. as desired. In Figs. 7 and 8 a modified construction is Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, it will be illustrated wherein three current transformers are noted that the connector unit 91 has a body 91B which mounted on a common platform.

may be cast from an electroconductive material such In Fig. 7 an enclosure is shown which includes a cover as cast copper. The body 91B is associated with a cap section 101 and a base section 103. These correspond 91C substantially in the same manner by which the cap respectively to the cover section 1 and the base section e7 is associated with the body 81A. By operation of the 3 of Fig. 1, and may be similarly associated and connuts 85A, associated with the bolts 85 of the connector structed of a suitable material such as steel or aluminum. units 91, the line conductor C1 is clamped between the It will be noted that the cover section 1491 has an opencap 91C and the body 91B. Preferably, the cap 91C and ing surrounded by the flange 22 for reception of a socket the body 913 have V-shaped grooves within which por- I meter. The flange 22 and the ring 30 are associated with tions of the conductor C1 are received. the cover section 101 substantially in the same manner The body 9113 also has an extension provided with a by which these parts are associated with the cover section V-shaped groove 91D for reception of the primary lead 1 of Fig. 1. However, the cross-bar 14 of Fig. 1 has been 39A of the transformer 33. A cap 91E is releasably semodified in Fig. 7 by removal of the central portion cured to the body 9113 by means of machine screws 91F. thereof to leave two ears 14A and 14B. Such removal Preferably, the cap 91E also has a V-shaped groove for of the central part of the bar leave more room for the reception of a portion of the primary lead 39A. By insocket assembly jaws. spection of Fig. 5, it will be noted that the machine The base section 103 has a rear wall 105 and two side screws 91F may be operated to clamp the primary lead walls 107 and 109. A panel 111 is located within the 39A between the cap 91B and the body 918. Also, the enclosure and is connected by a hinge 113 to brackets screws 91F may be removed in order to release the pri- 115 secured to the side wall 107. In the position illu marv lead 39A from the connector unit. trated in Fig. 7, the panel 111 is releasably secured by The construction of the connector units 89, 93 and 95 means of machine screws 117 to brackets 119 secured will be understood from the description of the connector to the side wa1l109.

unit 91. it will be understood that the parts of the A socket 120 is secured to a U-shaped bracket 121 connector units are positioned for reception of the priwhich in turn is secured to the panel 111. Consequently, mary leads and for reception of the conductors A1, C1, when the cover section 101 is removed, the screws 117 A2 and C2 nasmuch as the conductors A1 C1, A2 and may be withdrawn to permit pivotal motion of the panel C2 may be heav the portions of the connector units 111 and of the socket secured thereto through the posidesigned to receive these connectors preferably are tion normally occupied by the cover section 101. When aligned with the openings throu h which the conductors the cover section 101 is in the position illustrated in enter or leave the base section. This materially facilitates Fig. 7, it may be secured to the panel 111 in any suitable the handling of the heavy conductors. The alignment of manner. For example, the panel 111 has a pair of studs the cap 91C and the associated part of the body 91B with 122 and 123 secured thereto. These studs project through the conduc or C1 15 shown clearly in Fig. 3.

Parts of the connector units 89. 93 and 95 which cor- 5t) and 123A in threaded engagement with the exposed ends respond to the parts 91A, 91B, 91C, 91D, 91B and 91F of the studs.

of the connector unit 91 each will be identified by the Energy for an electrical meter mounted on the encloappropriate reference character 89, 93 or 95 followed by sure of Fig. 7 is supplied in part through three current the appropriate letter suflix. transformers 125, 127 and 129 which are secured to a The pr cedure for removing the transformers from the common platform 131 by means of machine screws 133. assembly illustrated in Fig. 1 now may be set forth. It The platform 131 is releasably secured to the wall 105 will be understo d that the meter 23 is re easably secured in any suitable manner. For example, studs 135 may be to the cover section 1 b eans of a conventional sealing secured to the wall 105 and may project through openring SR. When this sealing ring is removed the meter ings in the platform 131 and in flanges secured to the 2 m y be i h r n fr m i associated o ke so transformers. Nuts 135A are ap lied to the free ends N xt. the screws 61 are rem ved in rder to re ease the f th tud for the bar 14 fr m the associated s cket. If additional screws,

l cks, or latches are employed for the purpose of securing Th t formers 125, 127 and 129 may be similar the cover section 1 to the base se tion 3, these screws,

in construction to the transformers 31 and 33 of Fig. 2. looks or latches are also released. The cover section now The primary leads of these transfgrmers are associated be {moved mket the base SW10 with connector units 137, 139, 14-1, 143, 145 and 147 in Pefemw next to the machme sqrews the same manner by which the primary leads of the t a o e 31 and 33 are assoc'aed vith th connector 91E, 935 and 95B are removed In order to free the prrg g gg g and 95OfF1-0 I L I e marv leads the mmfmfiel's 3] Th9 69A It will be assumed that the equipment of Fi s. 7 and 8 may be removed from their associated studs 69 in order is intended for measurin ener su lied from a fourto free the removable unit 27. The complete removable wire threemhase Source gavingihasgpconducmrs a1, [71

and cl, and having a neutral conductor n which is at ground potential. The conductors :11, b1 and c1 are manner WhlCh W111 be clear from the discussion of Figs. 1 Load conductors a2, b2, 02 and 712 also are ilme a il in m y s cur the s i n og h lustrated in Fig. 8 by dotted lines The conductors a2, with the connector units and the strap 73 illustrated in b2 and 02 are associated with the connector units 139, 3 in any suitable manner on the wall of the building 143 and 147 in a manner which will be clear from the which he is erectin He may then connect the conducdiscussion of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6. tors A1, B1, C1, A2, B2 and C2, or certain of them, to Inasmuch as the neutral conductor 12 is at ground the respective connector units. Finally, he may apply potential, an electroconductive strap 149 may be conthe cover section 1 (Fig.1) to the base section by means nected directly to the wall of the enclosure. Conof machine screws or latches (not shown), and may cover 3 nectors 151 and 153, are secured to the ends of the strap enamels,

1'49, and these'connectors correspond IUthe'f'CODIlCCtOIS fonreceiving a conductor, whereby the primary leads 79 and'81 of Fig: 3. It will-beinotedthat the strap149 may be connected .through the connectors to suitable passes between the platform 131 and the wall 105.: Conconductors.

sequently, it doesnot-interfere with removal ofthe'plat- 6.v Apdevice as claimed in claim 4 wherein the supform 131 from the associated enclosure. 5 porting structure has a pair oflegs and a connecting It will be understood that the-panel. 111.need be wide bridge defining a U-configuration straddling the conducenough merely to support the socket 120. If desired, tor, the free ends of said legs engaging portions of the a connector block may be also mounted onthe-panel 111 enclosure on opposite sides of the conductor.

in order tofacilitate connections between the'socket'and 7. In a device for receiving an electrical instrument the transformers and conductors. located in the enclosure. havingexternally projecting contact blades, a support- The connections between the socket 120 andthe transing structure, a socket having contact jaws for receiving formers and conductors located in the enclosure may be the contact blades of an electrical instrument, said socket effected through conductors such as the conductor 155 being secured to the supporting structure, transformer which is long enough and flexible enough to permit the means secured to the supporting structure, said transdesired motion of the panel 111 aboutthe axisof the former means having secondary leads, and electro-conhinge 13. Clips 65 may engage primary leads of the ductive connections extending between the secondary transformers to provide voltage connections for thesocket leads of the transformer means and certain of said con- 120 in the manner discussed with reference to Figs. 2 tact jaws,'said supporting structure constituting a base and 4 with the parts of the transformer means and the socket In order to remove the transformer assembly in the secured thereto, whereby the supporting structure, transembodiment of Figs. 7 and 8', the nuts 121A and 123A former means and socket may be handled as a unit durare removed. In addition, any other screws, latches or ing installations or servicing operations.

locks employed for securing the cover section 101 to the 8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the transbase section 103 are r.'leased. The cover section 101 formermeans includes two transformers positioned on may then be removed. opposite sides of the socket, each of said transformers Next the screws 117 are removed and the panel 111 having substantially rigid primary leads projecting in is moved outwardly about the axis of its hinge to ex opposite directions from said unit.

pose the transformer assembly. 9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the sup- The primary leads "of the three transformers next are porting structure is of U-configuration providing a pair released from their associated connectors, and the nuts of spaced bases for the transformers and a central ele- 135A are removed. The platform 131, together with the vated pedestal for the socket, whereby the space below three transformers, now may be removed from the base the pedestal is available for wiring purposes. section as a unit. The brackets 115 and 1 19 may be'so 10. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the electropositioned that they do not interfere with such removal conductive connections'include' a resilient clip in resilient of the transformer assembly. engagementwith one of the primary leads, the resilient Certain subject matter herein set forth'is also set forth clip being separable from the associated primary lead in the copending patent application of George I. Wey, by movement of the clip against its resilience away from Serial No. 245,391 filed concurrently herewith; which the associated primary lead. is now Patent 2,642,483. ll. In'a device for receiving a detachable instrument Although the invention has been described with refcr- 40 of the type having externally projecting contact blades; ence to certain specific embodiments thereof, numerous an-enclosure having a base section and a movable cover modifications of the invention are possible. section provided with an opening; and a unit located in Iclaim as my invention: the enclosure and comprising a socket having contact 1. In a device for receiving and substantially externally jaws accessible through said opening for receiving the supporting an electrical instrument having terminal means, 4 contact blades of a detachable instrument, said unit cornan enclosure having a base section and a cover section prising transformer means having secondary connecmovable relative to the base section, a-unit releasably tions to certain of said contact jaws; said unit including positioned in said enclosure, said unit comprislng'a supthe socket and the transformer means being removable porting structure and transformer means secured to the complete as a unit from the base section when the cover supporting structure, fastening means releasably securing section is separated from the base section and from the the supporting structure to a portion of the enclosure unit l cated i th cl other than th C v Section, Emmi?! means in the 12. In a device for receiving a detachable instrument enclosure to be connected to the terminal means of an of the type having externally projecting contact blades; electrical instrument associated with the enclosure and ancnclosurc having a b ti d a cover Section positioned substantially externally of the enclosure, and provided with an opening; and a unit comprising a socket connections for connecting the terminal means In the enhaving t t j ibl through h opening f closur to h secondlry'leiids offlhe j meansreceiving the contact blades of a detachable instrument, 2. A devl 9 Claimed 01mm 1 Whfleln the transand a pair of transformers positioned on opposite sides form r m n 11101115165 P of tmnsjormers F a of the socket, said transformers having secondary con- 1 ng 5 958 3 l'lgld P i a leads, S fastemng means '60 nections to certain of said contact jaws and having rigid lllCll ldlTlg COHBCIOTS secured t? 3. P0111011 Of the fil'lClO- rima -y lead projecting thergfrgm; and connector 5. sure other than the cover section for releasably. a semblies secured to.the base section for releasably relng 521d Pnmary leadsraining the primaryleads, said unit being removable com- 3. A device as claimed "in claim '1 Wh16l1'lith6 -Il3l15- former means includes substantially r1gidprimaryleads, Y55 and a connector having a resilient connector clip engaging one of the primary leads for connecting one of the f ii f f i t Primary l primary le ds to the terminal means in the enclosure, evlce as Clalme 51mm 12 combmatwn said clip being movable against its resilience clear of the with a Conductor located the base Section, Said unit .plete from the base section when the cover section is separated from the base section and the connector asassociated primary lead. having a channel clearing the conductor when the unit 4 A d vi a l i d i l i 1 i bi i 1S 1n mounted position and permitting removal of the with a conductor located between a portion of the unit 1111 from base Sectionand a part of the enclosure other than the cover sec- A device Claimed i Claim 12 wherein the base tion, and means securing the conductor in insulated re- Sectlon has an Outlet area and Whflein a P Of Said lation'ship to said part of the enclosure, said transformer '75 connector assemblies have y Connectors aligned means having projecting, substantially rigid'primary leads, with Outlet area whereby Conductors Passlng through the supporting structure being located intermediate the the'outlet area y received in the auxiliary C011- conductor and the primary leads, whereby the unit may nectors to establish connections therethrough to certain he removed from the enclosure without disturbing the of the primary leads.

conductor. '80 15. In a device for receiving an electrical instrument 5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein thefastenhavingfils't terminalimeans, an enclosure having a base ing means includes connectors insulated from-each other ssection'sand :a cover .sect'ion, second terminal means 10 and secured to a portion of-the enclosure other than the 'catied withinihe'ienclosure and'securedxto the base seceove'r section for releasably retaining the'tprimaryleads, 1 iipntga hinged supportlocaterl wnhin'the enclosure,'means each of-the connectors including arr-auxiliary hmgmgsthe snpporttoathebasegsechontor hiflgfidimov'emerit from a closed position within the enclosure through portion spaced from a wall of the base section, the sece position normally occupied by the cover section to nd ends of the legs being releasably secured to the an open position exposing parts of the base section 'nor base section, whereby an electrical conductor may be mally concealed by the hinged support when in closed interposed between the pedestal portion and the wall of support for connection to the first terminal means of an the ridge structure from the base secti electrical instrument and electrical coupling means ex- 2 n a device for receiving an electrical instrument tending etween the second and third terminal means, having terminal means, an enclosure having a base s csaid electrical coupling means permitting said hinged tion and a cover section movable relative to the base movement of the hinged support. section; a plurality of connector units located in the base A device as claimed in claim wherein the elecsection and insulated from each other each of the contrical coupling means includes transformer means renector units including a rst connector device for inleasably secured to the base section and exposed when dependently and releasably clamping a first electrical cone hinged support is in the open position. ductor in said enclosure, and each of the connector units 17. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the third 15 including a second connector device for independently terminal means comprises a meter socket for receiving and releasably clamping a second electrical conductor in the terminal blades of a socket meter. said enclosure; the first connector device and the second 18. A device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the cover connector device in any one of the connector units resection has an opening surrounded by a flanged ring for spectively having portions electrically and rigidly conexposing the socket, whereby the terminal blades of a 20 nected to each other; a first pair of said first connector socket meter may be introduced through the opening evices being aligned along a first line with each other, or reception in the socket. whereby first electrical apparatus having a pair of spaced 19. In a device for receiving an electrical instrument and aligned terminals may have such terminals clamped having terminal means, an enclosure having a base secrespectively by e aligned first connector devices ot said tion, said enclosure including a cover section movable pair; and a U-shaped bridge structure comprising a section to a position exposing said part of the base secan a pair of legs pro ecting from spaced ends 01 the tion, a unit releasably positioned in the enclosure, said pedestal portion to said wall, means releasably securing unit including a supportin structure and including transthe legs to a d base e t o an electr cal conduc[01' loformer means secured to the supporting structure, fascated between said pedestal portion and said wall, and tening means releasably securing the supporting structure a contact jaw assembly secured to said pedestal portion to the base section independently of the cover section, for detachably receiving the terminal means of an elecwhereby movement of the cover section relative to the meal instrument, said cover section having an opening ase section substantially exposes the unit, mounting exposing said contact jaw assembl means for mounting an electrical instrument on the en- 23. in a device for receiving an electrical instrument closure substantially externally of the enclosure, termihavi term al m a lo ur havi a b nal means in the enclosure to be connected to the terrnition and a cover section movable relative to the base secna means of an electrical instiumcnt positioned by said tion; a plurality of connector units located ad acent a mounting means substantially exteiiially Of the enclosure wall of the base sect on and msulated from eaeh other; and connections for connecting the terminal means in each of the connector units including a first connector the enclosure to the secondary leads of the transformer device for independently and releasably clamping a first means electrical conductor in said enclosure and each of the 20- In a device for receiving all electrical instrument connector units including a second connector device tor having terminal means, an enclosure having a base secindependently and releasably clamping a second election, said enclosure including a cover section movable trical conductor in said enclosure; a portion of the first mm a position covering a substantial part Of h as connector device and a portion of the second connector section to a position exposing said part of the base secdevice in any one of the connector units eing election, a unit releasably positioned in the enclosure, said trically and rigidly connected to each other, a first pair unit including a supporting structure and including transof said first connector devices being aligned along a first former means secured to the supporting structure, fastenline with each other, whereby first electrical apparatus ing means releasably securing the supporting structure aving a pair of spaced and aligned terminals may have to the R86 SBCUOII indepfindenfly 0f the Cover Section, such terminals clamped respectively by the aligned first whereby movement of the cover section relative to the connector devices or said pair, a second pair of said ase section substantially exposes the unit, mounting first connector devices being aligned along a second line means for mounting an electrical instrument on the cover parallel to, but spaced from, said first line, whereby section substantially externally of the enclosure, termi electrical apparatus having a pair of spaced and aligned nal means in the enclosure to be connected to the terterminals may have such terminals clamped respectively minal means of an electrical instrument positioned by by the aligned first connector devices of said second Sold mounting means substantially externally of the enpair, a U-shaped bridge structure comprising a pair of '..l(.5Ul'e, connector units secured in the enclosure to the spaced platforms adjacent said wall and a pedestal portase section, and releasable connections for connectin tion intermediate said platforms, said pedestal por ion e primary leads of the transformer means to the conbeing spaced from the Wall, said cover section having iiector units for energization, and connections for conan opening exposing said pedestal portion nccting the terminal means in the enclosure to the secdevice as claimed in claim 23 in combination ondary leads ot the transformer means. with a contact jaw assembly secured to said pedestal n a device for receiving an electrical instrument portion and exposed through said opening for detachhaving terminal means; an enclosure having a base secably receiving the terminal means of an electrical instrution and a cover section movable relative to the base ment. section, a plurality of connector units located in the base 25 A device as claimed in claim 23 in combination section and insulated from each other; each of the con- 7 with a contact jaw assembly exposed through aid opennector units including a first connector device for ining for detachably receiving the terminal means 01 an dependently and releasably clamping a first electrical electrical instrument, and means selectively mounting the conductor in said enclosure, and each of the connector contact aw assembly on the pedestal portion in either units including a second connector device for independof two positions angularly displaced from each other rela ently and releasably clamping a second electrical contive to the enclosure about an ax s extendin through ductor in said enclosure; the first connector device and said opening, whereby the orientation of the enclosure the second connector device in any one of the connector relative to an electrical instrument mounted thereon may units respectively having portions electrically and rigidly be adjusted. connected to each other; a first pair of said first connector 26. A device as claimed in claim 25 wherein said opendevices being aligned along a first line with each other, 30 ing is a circular opening in the cover section concentric whereby first electrical apparatus having a pan of spaced a out said axis, and a ringextending through said openand aligned terminals may have such terminals clamped ing concentric with said axis, said ring and cover section respe tively by the aligned first connector devices of having configurations trapping the ring in the cover sec- ;aIi pair; and a bridge structure having a pair of legs tion but permitting rotation of the ring relative to the :oniiected at first ends of the legs to define a pedestal cover section through a substantial angle about w 1.1 and means securing the ring to theaconta'ctpjaw assembly,

27. In a device for receiving a-detach'abl'e instrument having externally acc'essible terminal means, an enclosure having a base section an a cover section, said cover section having a collar defining a circular opening, a' contact assembly for receiving the terminal means of an electrical instrument, means selectively operable for mounting the contact assembly for exposure through said opening in either of two positions relative to themclosure angularly displacedfrornreach other about'the axis of said circular opening, a ring locatedin :said opening concentric with said axis and having spaced flanges respectively engaging the two'endsof the collar, said flanges being spaced by a distance slightly larger than the length of the collar for rotatably holding the ring on the collar, said ring being rotatable relative 'to :the collar about said 'axis for an angular distanceat least as large as the angular displacementbetween said two positions of the contact assembly,-and ,means-securing-the ring to the contact assembly;

28. In a device for receiving a detachable instrument having externally projecting "contact blades, an enclosure having a base section and a cover sectionlmovablearelative to the base-section forrproviding access theretmsaid cover having a circular opening therein, a'contactijaw assembly located in'said enclosure, saidcontactjawassembly having contact jaws-exposedthr ough the opening for receiving the contact blades of a detachable instrument, a ring locatedin said'opening concentric with the opening, said ring having projections overlying the cover section to retain the ring on the cover section, said ring being free to rotate aboutits axis relative to the cover section for a-substantial' angulardistance, means releasably securing the ringto the contact jaw assembly to maintain a predetermined registration between the contact jaw and the ring, and meansselectively securing the contact jaw assembly to thebase section in-either of two positions displaced from-eachother, aboutthe axis of the opening by an angle of-substantiallyz90 whereby the base sectionmay bepositioned ona supportingstructure vertically or horizontally-w1th=a=detachable instrument: operablyt mounted: on the; enclosure. in; a;pn'e deter-. mined" orientationrelative ;.to* thestructure;

29. In a device: forvzreceiving-a; detachable-velectrical instrument having externally-accessible terminal-means, a mounting structure, a' registering device, :said mounting structure and said registering devtceshaving'configurations trapping the registering device {on the mountingstruc: ture while permitting rotation ofythe,registeringxdevice relative to the mounting structure about an :axis :extend-. ing through the registering device and thev mounting .structure, said registering device .and the'structure having-oregistering openings through which saidaxis-extends, said registering device providing a seatfor engaging .andpositioning a detachableelectrical-instrument, a contact as sembly exposed through said openings .for engaging the terminal means of an electrical instrument positioned by said seat, means securingstheregistering-device iina predetermined orientation .relative to the :contactassembly, and means ,for securing the contact assembly .relativeto the mountingstructure selectively in: either of two :positions displaced from each other .angularly about said 30. A device claimed in :claim '29 whereinthe mounting device has :a :collar concentric about said 'axis, saidregistering device comprisinga ring positioned within and concentric withthe'collar, saidring'havingfianges at its ends extending over-the'respective ends of the collar to trap the tringurelative. to i'the collar .while'permitting relativerotationof the: ring andsthe collar one of said flanges constituting: said seat.

. References Citedv in the .frle r of :thistpatent UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,145,546 Kingdon Jan. 31, 1939 2,242,637 Young." May 20, 1941 2,249,075 .Young- July .15, 1941 2,438,454 .Riebe. Mar. 23,'1948 2,452,494: 1 Rathen Oct. 26,1948 2,483,815 Easton Oct. 4, 1949 

